G's story

Hello, I'm 16 years old and my dad has a gambling problem. I haven't decided to do much until now.

At least 1 time a week (mostly more nowadays) my dad has to pick up my mum from work, most of the time he goes straight to the casino with her.

She doesn't want to but can't help it as he is the one driving, she says she mostly watches. They either come home happy, like yesterday night I woke up from sleeping on the couch and my dad put $100 in my hand (by the way I’m loved equally by both) but tonight, was one of those nights where they came home fighting. This was by far one of the worst.

I’m writing this right now after it has just happened. It was around 4.30 am and they came home fighting, I mainly ignore them but this time I swore my dad hit my mum. I ran outside and yelled 'THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T GO GAMBLING! IT JUST MAKES YOU FIGHT MOST OF THE TIME AND ALL YOU DO IS LOSE MONEY!'

As I ran out I saw my dad hitting his head really hard with an automatic air freshener. I held his arm away from his head but he kept trying to smash the air freshener on his head, so I told him I loved him and to stop. Eventually he stopped.

A few minutes later my mum came into my room crying and saying she wants to leave. We talked for about 5 minutes and I said I don’t mind if they get a divorce, it would be better for the family (well I think that – they won't fight anymore).

She also told me that while at the casino my dad said 'f**k you' loudly to my mum when my mum was only watching.